PlayBeautiful

In the 2014-15 season of the Bundesliga, Hannover 96 will have the youngest squad in the league with an average age of 23.8 years (Transfermarkt). As captain of Die Roten, Lars Stindl has what it takes to steer his team to a successful season.

Via Spox

Core Attributes: Leadership, Versatility, Dynamism, Stamina

First and foremost, he possesses calmness and composure on the pitch. By taking the leadership role, he sets an example with his work ethic and professionalism. He has been at the club since 2010, so his experience is key going into the new campaign.

As a right-footed player, he can play on the right, center, or deeper in midfield. Also, he can showcase his creative side when playing behind the striker. Since Tayfun Korkut switched Stindl to the attacking midfield on Matchday 30, this positively affected the team dynamic. Hannover were unbeaten in 5 consecutive games, which was the most for them in the 2013-2014 Bundesliga season. Stindl will most likely feature as the play-maker in future games after switching to the #10 shirt.

Via Spox

The amount of responsibilities Lars Stindl takes on is vital for H96 and it's noticeable when he isn't playing. According to statistics provided by WhoScored from the previous season, 42% of Hannover’s overall attack came from the right side and 43% of the action zone was in the middle third. Stindl knows how to make use of space when racing down the flank or roaming around the opponent’s box. Not only that, his mobility is important in transitions and connecting the attack and defense. This shows how involved he is in the production of goal-scoring opportunities.

As the face of Hannover, Lars Stindl can be the spark that brings success to Lower Saxony. He makes his presence felt on the pitch, is ready to play wherever the manager needs him, and sets the bar with his commitment level. Stindl's flexibility in different roles will serve as an advantage for The Reds throughout the season. A quality player who fights for the shirt week in and week out is an asset for any team.

Via Sportschau

A year ago, I wrote a piece explaining the 'Top 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Love David Luiz'. I'm back now to tell you why you should love him even more (if that's possible). After Brazil's 2-1 win against Colombia, people began to notice how much of a great guy Luiz truly is. His qualities make him a wonderful role model on and off the pitch.

Sit back and enjoy this post. (To read the original click here.)

1. David Luiz has a lot of passion for Brazil.
David Luiz is one of the most passionate players that you will ever come across in this World Cup. Expect him to belt out Brazil's national anthem prior to kick-off and try to pump up the crowd during the game. He feeds off of the atmosphere from the stands and will always give his 100 percent.


Storytime: Back in his Benfica days, Luiz had the option to represent Portugal instead of Brazil. He kindly declined the offer since Brazil was his only choice.

2. That goal.
Luiz's unique technique has us wondering how he does it. This free kick is far from ordinary. You probably have already seen this goal multiple times. Yes, multiple times.

3. That celebration.
BEAST MODE! This is Luiz's second goal in this competition.
4. David Luiz embodies true sportsmanship.
After Colombia's loss against Brazil, James Rodriguez was completely devestated. Realizing this, David Luiz came over to the Colombian to comfort him. Luiz urged the crowd to applaud the player as a sign of respect. Afterwards, both players gave each other hugs and swapped jerseys. This is an example of great sportsmanship.

Football is an art form. I don’t only see 22 players on the pitch. I see a master diligently creating his painting. Each step is a brushstroke. Every touch on the ball is a production. The beauty lies in the fact we have our own unique interpretations. A perfect mold doesn’t exist neither in life nor in football.

People see it as black or white. It’s either attractive or anti- football. A pretty or an ugly win. We may have our preferences on what we consider to be aesthetically pleasing, but that does not mean we cannot appreciate or respect different playing styles. When you take away the labels and stereotypes, we are fully able to understand the role of football. It’s not about right or wrong, but our own perception of the game is beautiful no matter what.

Based on popular opinion, people respond positively to teams who are not afraid to attack. Let’s consider teams at the World Cup in the Group Stage. For example, France play a creative, free-flowing style which heavily relies on the technical abilities of the players. Les Bleus rank high on shots attempted and boast one goal every 34 minutes.

In addition, the Netherlands implement a fast counter-attacking style by applying pressure and getting every player involved to break down the rival. This is how they scored an impressive 10 goals from open play, which translates into one goal every 27 minutes from 4.1 attempts. Both are considerably higher than the average of 62 minutes from 9 attempts.

Germany incorporate a direct style of football, while maintaining possession. Like a well-built machine, they utilize efficiency to get the result. They calculated the most short passes per game with a total pass completion rate of 85%. They are quick on transitions and players are able to adapt within the system.

On the other end of the spectrum, both Iran and Greece exhibited a more conservative approach. Iran placed emphasis on keeping the defense tight and using their opportunities on breakaways as their means to score. This defensive style of play was not appreciated by many because it did not add the “entertainment factor” or most saw it as a way of not playing football but merely playing for a draw. With a group consisting of Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Nigeria, it was always going to be a difficult task to advance to the next round. They stifled Nigeria who have one of the most dangerous and unpredictable attacking force in the competition. They almost got a result against Argentina, but a last-minute strike by Messi changed the outcome. To battle against waves of oncoming attacks and remain steadfast against pressure requires immense concentration.

Similarly, Greece have a footballing style they stay committed to. It is admirable because they always seem to find a way. To get as far as they did by relying on their strategy is a huge achievement. The most notable facet of this Greek side is their sheer strength in numbers to challenge the opposition. Greece don’t have the most refined players, but they collectively work together to make the defense impenetrable. The focus on organization is a key part of their game plan.

I see nothing wrong with a defensive style of play. In every high stakes game at the World Cup, it’s about taking the best result and running with it. Certain teams have limitations, so they have to maximize the chances they do have. Tactically, they have to be on their game because there’s less room for error. It requires just as much attention to detail executing a defensive plan as it does an offensive one.

When I see a certain team play a distinct style of football, I don’t feel the need to write it off. There is a reason behind it and it enables me learn to learn more about their philosophy.
As a student of the game, I believe it’s important to be open-minded. We are the ones who created barriers and we are the ones who can break them down.